Child Support Attorney

CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEY
 
Kenosha County is seeking a motivated Child Support Attorney to join our team.  The Child Support Attorney, reporting to the Lead Child Support Attorney, acts as the legal counsel for Kenosha County Child Support Services (CSS) in the Division of Workforce Development.  The Child Support Attorney will represent the County and the interests of the State of Wisconsin in all legal actions in which child support establishment, paternity establishment, child support enforcement, or modification of an existing support order are at issue, as well as any related matters.  Child Support Attorneys communicate with parents and caretakers, provide resources and referrals, analyze data, conduct legal research, prepare legal pleadings, and utilize various state and federal computer systems, databases, and reports in the course of their daily activities. 
 
2026 Hiring Range:  $84,278 – $100,330 annually

Position Summary and Job Duties
Represent the State of Wisconsin in enforcement, order establishment, paternity establishment, and modification of judgment cases filed by Kenosha County CSS before the court; make other appearances as required to represent the interest of the State or County
Perform legal research related to child support motions, briefs, and negotiated settlements
Participate in and successfully complete continuing legal education courses (CLEs) and remain in good standing with the State Bar of Wisconsin
Prepare, review, and approve the drafting of legal documents and correspondence to be submitted to the Family Court Commissioner or Circuit Court
Review, interpret, implement, and keep current on Federal and State child support law, administrative rules, regulations, and procedures
Review and approve pleadings submitted by private counsel or individuals
Negotiate out of court settlements
Make decisions in consultation with the management and legal team regarding appeals
Review and determine the course of action on complex cases
Review statutory changes and appellate decisions
Interpret law for agency staff
Establish paternity, current support, and/or health insurance by means of drafting and filing court actions through the circuit court
Review existing orders for modification of current support based on timelines, income and substantial changes in circumstances
Approve and file actions with the court through the wiKIDS/CCAP efiling interface
Maintain communication with clients, co-workers, courts, other departments and partner agencies
Communicate with non-custodial parents who are unemployed or underemployed and refer them to employment and training programs to increase their ability to pay their child support
Recommend cases for possible criminal non-support prosecution
Process incoming and outgoing intergovernmental cases, as needed
Supervise employees
Perform other work as required or assigned

Success Factors
Knowledge of:
State and federal law as it applies to family matters including intergovernmental policies
Kenosha County Circuit Court rules of law and court procedures
Legal terminology, legal documents, and legal writing proficiency
Family law and state/county policy as it pertains to child support, substitute care, guardianship, paternity, bankruptcy, and probate law, as they intersect with child support
Kids Information Data System (KIDS), WiKIDS, Child Support Online Services (CSOS), Control-D, CARES/Cares Worker Web (CWW) and Circuit Court Access (CCAP) or ability to obtain required knowledge within six months of employment
Wisconsin Statute 767

Skill in:
Internal and external customer service
Typing, writing, organization, and analysis
Investigative interviewing, research, and communication
Critical thinking and problem solving
Negotiating settlements
Time management, multi-tasking, and prioritization
Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams; CCAP efiling; and Adobe Acrobat Professional
Supervising staff
Attention to detail

Ability to:
Analyze, appraise, and organize facts and evidence, and present such materials effectively both orally and in writing
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, partner agencies, and the general public
Understand the court process and local judiciary structure
Review and prepare files for court appearances
Quickly prioritize and shift between management and court duties
Work with printing machines and photocopiers
Work with both electronic and paper files
Display persistence, ingenuity, and adaptability
Read and interpret child support financial data screens
Work with people of various socioeconomic backgrounds and remain professional and courteous at all times
Adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines as well as computer security guidelines
Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience
Required Education, Experience, and Licenses
Must have graduated from an accredited law school
1-3 years’ experience practicing law
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin
Must be admitted to practice before the Wisconsin Supreme Court as well as the Federal Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin
Ability to obtain a Notary Public within 6 months and maintain thereafter
Preferred Education and Experience
1-3 years’ experience in paternity, child support enforcement, or family law
Other Job Requirements
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
Regular attendance and punctuality are required
Pass a criminal background check/fingerprinting requirement
 
Benefits
Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment, with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off
Voluntary Paid Time Off
Twelve Paid Holidays
Retirement Plan: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
Tuition Reimbursement

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently.

Selection Process
Application Review – Qualifying
Oral Interview – Qualifying
Background Check – Qualifying
Drug Screen – Qualifying

If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, August 7th, 2026, at 12:00 noon.  

To learn more about the Kenosha County Division of Workforce Development Child Support Services, please visit: https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/264/Workforce-Development

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer.  Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is E11 (Min. $84,278 – Max. $100,330 annually).

We are located in Kenosha County, an expanding community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago.  To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, please visit:  https://www.visitkenosha.com/ or https://lifebalancedkenosha.com/.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/jobs

Deadline Note: